Hankook & Co. has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS mark in recognition of its sustainability efforts.
Hankook says it is the first tire manufacturer to receive the honor.
The company's Geumsan, South Korea, plant is replacing petroleum-based oil with natural oil and is adapting renewable, bio-based polymers, according to Hankook officials.
"The production of biopolymers, unlike conventional chemical products, uses less petroleum and is compensated with recycled oil from various sources, such as used cooking oil. The heating process for non-petroleum-based oil in turn reduces carbon emissions.
"The complex processes in which Hankook Tire produces certified sustainable raw materials translate into the environmentally-friendly Kinergy 4S 2 all-weather tires for passenger cars and Kinergy 4S 2X for SUVs."
